Russia vs Egypt

I make Russia a bet here. They face a side who still may be without their star player in Mo Salah. Salah will again face a late fitness test but I expect him to make it. I think the current odds are more than fair although you may get better when the teams are announced and Salah is starting. Although I think the chances of him playing are some what factored into this price.

Egypt looked ordinary in their first game and the Russians will feel like there is pressure lifted off their shoulders now they have their first game over and with a win to boot. I am betting Russia here -0.25 at the current odds.

Russia -0.25 Min odds 1.80

Colombia vs Japan

Betting Colombia here mainly because I don’t think Japan are very good. Since March they have drawn with Mali, beaten by the Ukraine and Ghana then by the Swiss before they won a match vs Paraguay. Added to that is the fact that Asian teams have not done well so far, The Swedes even though they only won it with a penalty, they were well deserving victors today and Saudi Arabia looked dreadful in the opening match, only the Aussies have done well. The Colombians have some very useful players, James Rodriguez of Bayern Munich Cuadrado of Juventus, Falcao of Monaco and at the back they have Mina and Davinson Sanchez.

The Japanese squad has no where near this level of player. Shinji Kagawa is now more or less a squad player at Dortmund as is Okazaki at Leicester. I am going for a Colombia bet -0.75 at the current odds.

Colombia -0.75@ min odds 2.02